Plainfield Public Library cards are non transferable. Only the person whose name appears on the name/signature line of the library card application may use the library card. Unauthorized usage will result in the confiscation of the library card. The true owner will need to retrieve the card from the library with photo ID. Please contact the Circulation Desk for more information.

Library Card Eligibility
Our Library welcomes Plainfield residents and employees, literacy program volunteers and members of reciprocal libraries to obtain a free Plainfield Public Library card. All Plainfield Public Library cards are valid for three (3) years from date of issue, with the exception of library cards obtained by members of non-reciprocal communities.

Plainfield Residents and Employees
Anyone who lives, works full-time, goes to school full-time, or owns property in Plainfield may obtain a library card; which can be used to check out materials, access online research databases, and use the public computers at the library. Proof of any of the above will be satisfied by showing such documents as a driver’s license, utility bill, phone bill, pay stub, or an apartment lease. Children in elementary school must have the signature of a parent or legal guardian to obtain a card. Patrons that present ID with a PO Box will be required to show proof of their physical Plainfield address.

Residents of "Reciprocal" Communities
The Plainfield Public Library has an exchange agreement with many other New Jersey communities that provides Plainfield residents with access to outside libraries as well as welcomes outside community members to the Plainfield Public Library. Interested Plainfield residents may visit the Reference Desk or Circulation Desk for additional information. Non-Plainfield residents may obtain a Plainfield Public Library card without charge by showing a current card from their home library.

Residents of “Non-Reciprocal” CommunitiesResidents of North Plainfield and any other community whose libraries do not have an exchange agreement with Plainfield may obtain a Plainfield Public Library card for an annual fee of $35. The card is valid for one year from date of payment..

Replacement Cards

If your library card is lost or stolen a replacement card can be issued. Identification will need to be shown following the guidelines listed above in "Obtaining a Library Card". The charge for a replacement library card is as follows:

1st card: $1.00

2nd & 3rd card: $5.00

4th & 5th card: $10.00

6th card: 6 month suspension or $25.00 fee

A meeting with the Assistant Director is required before receiving the sixth replacement card.

Reserving Materials

Plainfield Public Library card holders may reserve an item by:

completing a hold-slip at the Circulation Desk, OR

placing the hold online through the online catalog (your library card number and PIN are required).

Items ready for pickup will be held at the Circulation Desk for five (5) days if the patron is notified via postal mail, or three (3) days if the patron is notified by phone or email. To change your notification settings please visit the Circulation Desk with your library card.

If a patron does not pick up materials they have ordered from another library, a fee of $1.00 per item will be charged to their account. Patrons with 5 or more "no pick ups" within a 6 month period will be blocked from requesting materials for one month.

Loan Periods

An item may be renewed up to 2 times if not on hold. Items with holds, DVDs, and Magazines are NOT eligible for renewal.
Items can be renewed at the Library, online,
or by
calling 732-225-0932.

Item Limits

Adult card holders may have a total of 10 items checked out at one time. Juvenile card holders may have a total of 5 items checked out at one time.

Adult Books

up to card max

AudioBooks

up to 4 at one time

Children's Books

up to card max

DVDs

up to 4 at one time

Graphic Novels

up to card max

Magazines

up to 4 at one time

Bookpacks/Playaways

up to 4 at one time

Textbooks

up to 4 at one time

Young Adult Books

up to card max

* Only Adult card holders may check out DVDs *

Current Overdue Finesper item per day

Adult Books

$0.25

AudioBooks

$1.25

Children's Books

$0.15

DVDs

$1.25

Graphic Novels

$0.25

Magazines

$0.25

Bookpacks/Playaways

$1.25

Textbooks

$0.25

Young Adult Books

$0.25

The maximum fine is $10.00 per item regardless of item type or patron type. These fines should be paid at the Circulation Desk.
Patrons who have $5.00 or more in fines/fees on their card will not be able to check out additional materials.

Please note -- These charges include Sundays and holidays. When the Library is closed, books may be returned via the Book Drop located near the entrance.

Online Access to Your Account

Please visit the Circulation Desk in order to be assigned a PIN (personal identification number) for your library account. PINs will only be issued in-person, and cannot be provided via phone or email.

To access your library account through the catalog:

On the Catalog Home Page, click "Log In" located in the top right corner of the page.

Enter your Library Card number in the first box and your assigned PIN (this number can be changed upon logging in to the system) in the second box.

You can now use your Library Card number and PIN to review your account, renew items, or to update your email address to be contacted about overdue materials or availability of reserved items.

Please note: Reciprocal borrowers are not permitted to place system holds – they can only place holds on their registered library's materials. Please contact the Circulation Department for assistance.

Interlibrary Loan

If the Plainfield Public Library does not have the item you are looking for, you may request an interlibrary loan. The item will be requested from a nearby library and will be delivered to the Plainfield Public Library for you to pick up typically within two weeks.

To complete an interlibrary loan request, please contact the reference desk to complete the form, which consists of your name, address, contact information, the title of the book, and/or author.

Items ready for pickup will be held at the Circulation Desk for five (5) days if the patron is notified via postal mail, or three (3) days if the patron is notified by phone or email. To change your notification settings please visit the Circulation Desk with your library card.

If a patron does not pick up materials they have ordered from another library, a fee of $1.00 per item will be charged to their account. Patrons with 5 or more "no pick ups" within a 6 month period will be blocked from requesting materials for one month

You must have a Plainfield Library Card and reside in Plainfield to take advantage of this service.